Pensioner killed by burglar

An elderly woman has been stabbed to death by a burglar in her London home.

Anne Mendel, 85, was murdered after disturbing the intruder in her house in Golders Green.

Her husband, Leonard, 80, had left home briefly to collect air tickets for a holiday - but returned to discover his wife's body covered in blood at the foot of a staircase.

The Jewish couple had been married for 54 years and lived in the house in Elmcroft Crescent since 1984.

Police said it was an "awful, cowardly" murder.

It is the latest in a series of killings where victims have confronted burglars and happened on a road where neighbours said there had been a spate of break-ins.

Mrs Mendel was retired but continued to do charity and social work.

Neighbour Victor Beresticki, 77, said: "She was a very kind lady, who was always helping others. It's unbelievable what has happened. Her husband, Leonard, must be going through agony." Another resident, Abdul Salaam Shaikh, 64, said: "There have been a few other houses that have been burgled. I can't believe that one could go as far as to kill an innocent old lady."

The couple are understood to have a son who lives in Manchester and a daughter who lives in Israel. Mr Mendel was said to be in a state of shock and confusion. Rabbi Chaim Pearlman, head of the Orthodox Synagogue where the Mendels worshipped, had visited him shortly after the attack. He said: "He told me he had been out collecting air tickets yesterday morning and returned home to find his wife slumped at the bottom of the stairs.

"She was covered in bloodstained blankets and he believed she had accidentally fallen down the stairs. He called an ambulance and it was the ambulancemen who immediately called the police after realising Mrs Mendel had been attacked."

Police sources said the burglar-entered the house between 9am and 11am yesterday. Mr Mendel returned at

11.30am. A post mortem is being conducted today at Finchley mortuary.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Morris, who is in charge of the investigation, said: "The murder team are working with local police in conducting analysis of all burglaries that have occurred in the area." Police are appealing for witnesses.